Last Call for $$$

The Oliver Community Arts Council will be reviewing proposals for local arts funding at its upcoming Board meeting on June 15.  Today marks the official deadline for applications for OCAC financial aid.  

As a registered charity, the arts council enters into “contractual agreements” with individual artists and arts groups who request financial aid for workshops, performances, exhibits and other public arts-related events offered in the Oliver area.  If the event is in accord with the arts council’s mandate and funding is approved, the applicant is in effect acting as an agent of the arts council and presenting public art on their behalf. Up to $500 ia awarded to a deserving applicant. The number of successful applicants depend in part on the amount of aid asked for on each application. The OCAC budget sets aside approximately $1500 – $2000 per year for contracted service agreements.  

So far four applications have been received: three from local arts groups and one from a performing artist. Application forms are available by clicking on “Forms” under the banner at the top of this page. Click on “Contracted Service Agreement”. The Introduction explains the funding criteria, and Part 1 is the application. Applications may be emailed to olivercac @gmail.com or mailed to the OCAC, P.O. Box 1711, Oliver, BC   V0H 1T0. Late applications may be considered if received by Friday June 3. Contact the arts council at their email address for assistance with the application process.

Spinners & Weavers appreciate funded workshop

In April, the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers ran a successful workshop facilitated by guest fibre artist Robyn Spady (pictured at left) of Spady Studios, Seattle. Robyn is inspired by the many ways to weave double-faced fabrics as a way to create versatile fabrics. In addition to double-faced fabrics, she also explores uncommon weave structures and narrow warp weaves. More about Robyn and her weaving techniques can be found here: http://www.spadystudios.com/  Here’s what Robyn says about the importance of fibre arts in her life:

“Weaving has always been a part of my life. It started with my baby blanket handwoven by my great-grandmother. While growing up, it helped instill in me a sense of creativity and confidence at a time when my self esteem was developing. During my years while working, in what I like to call “Corporate America”, weaving helped give me sanity and feel a sense of productivity, which was very important while working on long-term projects when day-to-day progress was not evident.

“In 2001, changes in my life provided me the opportunity to dedicate myself to weaving fulltime. One of the earliest undertakings, that has had a huge impact on my life and my weaving, was tackling the Handweavers Guild of America’s Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving.  I [later] successfully completed the Level 1: Technical Skills in Handweaving…. [and] … Level II: Master in Handweaving with the specialized study Loom-controlled Stitched Double Cloth.

“I am fascinated by the infinite possibilities of crossing threads and love coming up with new ideas to create fabric and transform it into something that has never existed before. My intrigue with stitched double cloth encouraged me to explore the many ways to weave double-faced fabrics as a way to create versatile fabrics that are reversible, self-lined, etc. In addition to double-faced fabrics, I love to discover uncommon and unusual weave structures, especially if they can be woven on only four-shafts. Recently, I’ve also been studying how elaborate trims can be woven on narrow warp weaves.

“For many of us, weaving is a type of circle of life. The loom my great-grandmother used to weave my baby blanket on over 45 years ago is in use on a daily basis helping me transfer my inspirations into new fabrics and inspiring new generations of weavers.”

As you can tell from the photos of the very focussed participants, weaving can be all-consuming and takes a lot of concentration!

The event was sponsored in part through the Oliver Community Arts Council.

Need funding for a public workshop, production, exhibit, class, or event? The OCAC is accepting applications for Contracted Service Agreements NOW. Up to $500 in funding per project. Open to all OCAC members. Complete yours by June 1, 2011 for an event in the Sept 2011 – Aug 2012 season.  Click on “Forms” above or email olivercac @ gmail.com for information and application.

Thanks to Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers president Gail Erickson for the photos.

Spinners & Weavers appreciate funded workshop

In April, the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers ran a successful workshop facilitated by guest fibre artist Robyn Spady (pictured at left) of Spady Studios, Seattle. Robyn is inspired by the many ways to weave double-faced fabrics as a way to create versatile fabrics. In addition to double-faced fabrics, she also explores uncommon weave structures and narrow warp weaves. More about Robyn and her weaving techniques can be found here: http://www.spadystudios.com/  Here’s what Robyn says about the importance of fibre arts in her life:

“Weaving has always been a part of my life. It started with my baby blanket handwoven by my great-grandmother. While growing up, it helped instill in me a sense of creativity and confidence at a time when my self esteem was developing. During my years while working, in what I like to call “Corporate America”, weaving helped give me sanity and feel a sense of productivity, which was very important while working on long-term projects when day-to-day progress was not evident.

“In 2001, changes in my life provided me the opportunity to dedicate myself to weaving fulltime. One of the earliest undertakings, that has had a huge impact on my life and my weaving, was tackling the Handweavers Guild of America’s Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving.  I [later] successfully completed the Level 1: Technical Skills in Handweaving…. [and] … Level II: Master in Handweaving with the specialized study Loom-controlled Stitched Double Cloth.

“I am fascinated by the infinite possibilities of crossing threads and love coming up with new ideas to create fabric and transform it into something that has never existed before. My intrigue with stitched double cloth encouraged me to explore the many ways to weave double-faced fabrics as a way to create versatile fabrics that are reversible, self-lined, etc. In addition to double-faced fabrics, I love to discover uncommon and unusual weave structures, especially if they can be woven on only four-shafts. Recently, I’ve also been studying how elaborate trims can be woven on narrow warp weaves.

“For many of us, weaving is a type of circle of life. The loom my great-grandmother used to weave my baby blanket on over 45 years ago is in use on a daily basis helping me transfer my inspirations into new fabrics and inspiring new generations of weavers.”

As you can tell from the photos of the very focussed participants, weaving can be all-consuming and takes a lot of concentration!

The event was sponsored in part through the Oliver Community Arts Council.

Need funding for a public workshop, production, exhibit, class, or event? The OCAC is accepting applications for Contracted Service Agreements NOW. Up to $500 in funding per project. Open to all OCAC members. Complete yours by June 1, 2011 for an event in the Sept 2011 – Aug 2012 season.  Click on “Forms” above or email olivercac @ gmail.com for information and application.

Thanks to Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers president Gail Erickson for the photos.

OCAC Funding Available to Members

Are you an OCAC member planning a public arts event? A musical performance? A seminar or other instructional arts program? Need funding? As a registered charity, the OCAC offers Contracted Service Agreements every year to help fund activities that reflect the arts council’s constitutional mandate.  The application is available to all members of the arts council, not just member groups but also individuals and businesses who want to programme an event under the OCAC mandate and who require a funding boost. 

There are two parts to the application. The first is submitted before your event to seek funding approval. The second, in the event your event is approved, is submitted after the event showing the event took place. The application deadline is June 1, 2011 for arts events, performances and seminars occurring September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012.  Last year, we received some applications for summer events taking place before September 1. While these applications were outside the funding period, we did grant funds to two events. If you are planning an event for this summer, please be aware that while we may fund you, you will not get confirmation of funding until mid-June, giving you little time for planning or preparation.

Unless otherwise requested, all funding will be received after the event has taken place, to help with billable expenses or to replace funds spent. Up to 50% of the funds can be made available up-front on a need basis. Please explain in your application if this is your case.

The Board will evaluate all applications at their June meeting and inform all applicants of the result by the end of June. There is approximately $1500 available and the maximum fee-for-service is $500 per application. Please consider your event budget carefully to judge what amount you need. The OCAC budget may not accommodate all applicants’ funding requests so the best applications will be selected on merit, reflection of the OCAC mandate, and demonstration of need. If you need assistance in writing a strong application, please contact the OCAC Board.

Want a copy of the CSA application or more information? Contact olivercac@gmail.com